"Curious though, anyone had to deal with either company after something bigger like theft or serious damage? That's the real test imo..."
Yeah, totally agree with you there. I've been lucky enough not to have anything major happen (knock on wood), but my coworker had a pretty rough experience a couple years back. Her car got stolen right out of her driveway overnight—crazy stuff, right? Anyway, she was with State Farm at the time and said the whole process was actually smoother than she expected. They got her into a rental quickly and didn't drag their feet too much on the payout once it was clear the car wasn't turning up again. She did mention there was some back-and-forth over valuation, but I think that's pretty common with insurance companies in general.
On the flip side, my brother-in-law had Farm Bureau when his truck got totaled in a storm—big tree limb came down right onto the cab. He said FB was solid about getting an adjuster out fast and didn't nickel-and-dime him over every little thing. Still, he felt like communication slowed down a bit once they moved past the initial assessment stage. Nothing terrible, just a bit more waiting around than he'd hoped for.
Honestly, from what I've seen and heard, both companies seem decent enough when things get serious. But like you said, it's those bigger incidents that really test how good your coverage is. I guess it also depends a lot on your local agents and offices—some folks rave about their Farm Bureau agent being super responsive, while others swear by State Farm's customer service.
Either way, hope you never have to find out firsthand...
Interesting points, but honestly, I'd say the real test isn't just how smoothly they handle claims—it's also about how much your premiums jump afterward. Had a client whose teenage son wrecked their SUV (thankfully no injuries, just a bruised ego and a totaled car). State Farm was great at first—quick payout, rental sorted—but man, when renewal time came around...ouch. Premiums shot up way more than expected. They ended up switching companies because of it.
Farm Bureau can be similar, though I've noticed they're sometimes a bit more forgiving with rate hikes after one big claim. Still, it really depends on your local office and agent. Some agents will go to bat for you and help keep those increases reasonable; others just shrug and hand you the new bill.
Bottom line: don't just look at how fast they pay out—also consider how they'll treat you afterward. Because nothing stings quite like thinking you're covered only to get blindsided by sticker shock later...
You make a solid point there—it's not just how quickly they handle the mess, but how much pain your wallet feels afterward.
"Some agents will go to bat for you and help keep those increases reasonable; others just shrug and hand you the new bill."
This hits home. I've seen it firsthand: a good agent can make all the difference when renewal season rolls around. Honestly, both companies have their strengths, but I've had clients who've stuck with Farm Bureau precisely because their local agent was proactive about managing rate hikes after claims. State Farm can be great too, but they're more hit-or-miss depending on your area and your relationship with the office.
Also worth considering: some insurers offer accident forgiveness options that could soften the blow after a big claim. Might be worth checking if either company has something similar available in your state...could save you a headache down the road. Either way, always smart to ask upfront rather than get surprised later.
Totally agree on the agent thing. A few years back, I had a fender-bender halfway through a cross-country trip (talk about timing...). My Farm Bureau agent was amazing—handled everything smoothly, kept me updated, and somehow managed to keep my rates from skyrocketing at renewal.
"Some agents will go to bat for you and help keep those increases reasonable; others just shrug and hand you the new bill."
Exactly this. It really comes down to who you're working with locally, not just the brand itself.
That's a good point about the local agent making all the difference. I've been leaning toward State Farm because their initial quote was cheaper, but now I'm wondering if saving a few bucks upfront is worth it if the agent isn't as proactive when something actually happens.
"It really comes down to who you're working with locally, not just the brand itself."
Has anyone had experience switching agents within the same company? Curious if that's an easy process or more hassle than it's worth...
